No clemency for Stanley Williams, the convincted murderer of four and founder of the 'Crips' gang despite his many years of trying to rectify his life and teach kids not to walk his path.

In the end the governor decided that he couldn't grant clemency unless Tookie apologized, Tookie wouldn't apologize because he said he didn't do the crime.

Mr. Williams has always maintained his innocence of the four murders, and the governor said in a statement this afternoon that "without an apology and atonement for these senseless and brutal killings, there can be no redemption."

"Clemency decisions are always difficult, and this one is no exception," Mr. Schwarzenegger said. "After reviewing and weighing the showing Williams has made in support of his clemency request, there is nothing that compels me to nullify the jury's decision of guilt and sentence and the many court decisions during the last 24 years upholding the jury's decision with a grant of clemency."

Not sure how I feel about this because I'm not sure how I feel about the death penalty in general. At it's basic premise it's one less person that is available to keep a young man away from making the wrong decisions in life. Alive or dead, hopefully the books will continue to make circulation and the message will still be heard.


Schwarzenegger Denies Clemency [NYT]
Williams' Claim of Founding Crips is Disputed [CNN/Reuters]